Research Catalogue
Welcome to the RSSB research catalogue. The catalogue contains all projects from the 20+ years of the RSSB rail research programme. Please be mindful of the publication date when accessing findings and guidance.
Search by entering a title, keyword(s) or project reference number below (e.g. "wayfinding" or T1010 or COF-INP-05) or use the filters to narrow down options.
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Overhead line equipment (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
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Safety data analysis (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Safety data collection (x)
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On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
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CCC asset management (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Gauging (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
ADHERE (x)
PERFORM (x)
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Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (2)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (45)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (14)
- Other - Control command and communication (36)
- Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (2)
- Signalling - Train detection systems (5)
- Signalling - Train protection systems (4)
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
-
Operations
- Customer services for freight (41)
- Customer services for passengers (97)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (3)
- Movement of trains (59)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (45)
- Operational Safety (30)
- Other - Operations (33)
- Revenue and ticketing (9)
- Security management (39)
- Stations management and passenger flow (31)
- Traffic supervision and management (43)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (128)
- Culture (56)
- Education and competence (8)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (36)
- Health and wellbeing (86)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (55)
- Human reliability (44)
- Job design (41)
- Selection and training (48)
- Other - People behaviour and health (20)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (41)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (6)
- Rolling stock asset management (29)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (28)
- Rolling stock fire performance (8)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (44)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (24)
- Rolling stock testing (32)
- Train design - Components (92)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (50)
- Other - Rolling stock (37)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Research Project
T1352
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Characterising longitudinal brake forces and defining operational safe threshold limits (T1352)
Research Project
T1348
End Date: 2025
Underway
The feasibility and benefits of setting differentail speed limites for freight trains, depending on actual braking capability. Read More
Research Project
T1318
End Date: 2025
Underway
Developing a validated model capable of predicting the growth of rolling contact damage on GB railways. Read More
Research Project
T1339
End Date: 2025
Underway
Could a standardised approach add value by harmonising industry processes around train planning and disruption management? Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS-05
End Date: 2025
Underway
A PhD studentship to improve understanding of low adhesion friction in transience, and develop an on-train prediction system. Read More
Research Project
T1323
End Date: 2025
Underway
Understanding how, why, and where reportable information is being lost or not acted upon, and finding ways to help companies take action at the… Read More
Research Project
T1342
End Date: 2025
Underway
Modelling the potential consequences of a train collisions and derailments for different train types, speeds, lengths, and loading.
Read More
Research Project
T1362
End Date: 2025
Underway
An agreed set of human factors principles to help the industry be more efficient in exploring and implementing AI-powered solutions.
Read More
Research Project
T1358
End Date: 2025
Underway
Real-word testing of rail diesel emisisons, including comparison with emissions from hydrotreated vegetable oils and consideration of the role of… Read More
Research Project
T1314
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Dynamic seat comfort for passengers (T1314)
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Risk models (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Attitudes and behaviour (x)
Sustainable development (x)
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Train design - Components (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Station design (x)
Human performance (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Adhesion (x)
Track design and components (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Culture (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Selection and training (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Structures (x)
Job design (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Security management (x)
Human reliability (x)
Traffic supervision and management (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Braking systems (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Power supply (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Value from data (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Future technologies (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Education and competence (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Derailment (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Gauging (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
ADHERE (x)
PERFORM (x)
DECARB (x)
FREIGHT (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
RESILIENT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Topics
-
Control Command and Communication
- CCC asset management (4)
- CCC system integration and life cycle management (2)
- Control and display systems (16)
- Data and communications systems (39)
- Movement authorities and signalling systems (12)
- Other - Control command and communication (35)
- Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (2)
- Signalling - Train detection systems (5)
- Signalling - Train protection systems (4)
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
-
Operations
- Customer services for freight (32)
- Customer services for passengers (68)
- Keeping on-track staff safe (2)
- Movement of trains (54)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (43)
- Operational Safety (25)
- Other - Operations (26)
- Revenue and ticketing (3)
- Security management (32)
- Stations management and passenger flow (29)
- Traffic supervision and management (31)
-
People Behaviour and Health
- Attitudes and behaviour (100)
- Culture (43)
- Education and competence (6)
- Equipment workplace and environmental design (31)
- Health and wellbeing (63)
- Human Factors in event reporting (1)
- Human performance (49)
- Human reliability (32)
- Job design (32)
- Selection and training (42)
- Other - People behaviour and health (16)
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (29)
- On board power supplies and monitoring (1)
- Rolling stock asset management (23)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (22)
- Rolling stock fire performance (6)
- Rolling stock interiors (4)
- Rolling stock maintenance (35)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (19)
- Rolling stock testing (25)
- Train design - Components (76)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (43)
- Other - Rolling stock (28)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Research Project
COF-RCF-01
End Date: 2028
Underway
A PhD project using modelling to establish the relationship between the microstructure or rail steel and crack initiation. Read More
Research Project
COF-MLD-05
End Date: 2026
Underway
This study aims to understand the uncertainty in people’s perceptions of rail transit experience and investigate how these uncertainties impact… Read More
Research Project
COF-MLD-04
End Date: 2026
Underway
A framework for capturing and assessing customer feedback in the rail industry to help understand passenger experience in greater depth. Read More
Research Project
COF-UOS-06
End Date: 2026
Underway
A PhD studentship looking at how contaminated rail conditions change with the weather, as well as how contamination develops and the linked changes to… Read More
Research Project
T1341
End Date: 2026
Underway
Registered
Framework for assessment of technologies to deliver reliable braking in low adhesion (T1341)
Research Project
COF-MLD-03
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Exploring late adopters’ engagement with digital technology in the rail sector (COF-MLD-03)
Research Project
T1356
End Date: 2025
Underway
Registered
Improving Power Changeover Practices (T1356)
Research Project
COF-G25-01
End Date: 2025
Underway
Testing of the enhanced trailing arm bush prototype on a dynamic test rig and building the case for an in-service trial. Read More
Research Project
T1340
End Date: 2025
Underway
An updated understanding of the cost impacts of low adhesion, to inform investment decisions for specific routes and fleets. Read More
Research Project
T1331
End Date: 2025
Underway
Investigating the background and rationale for current traction power parameters, and establishing whether changing these parameters could improve… Read More
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Value from data (x)
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Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
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Overhead line equipment (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Railways Interoperability (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Security management (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Gauging (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Rolling stock asset management (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Structures (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Other - Safety and risk (x)
Station design (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
Safety data collection (x)
DECARB (x)
ADHERE (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Objectives
Topics
- Control Command and Communication
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
- Operations
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
- Rolling stock
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-07
End Date: 2016
Complete
We need alternative forms of train power to diesel for areas where electrification cannot be justified. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-09
End Date: 2016
Complete
We need alternative forms of train power (diesel) for areas where electrification cannot be justified. Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-01
End Date: 2016
Complete
Feasibility study to develop a concept design and establish the merits of a Fuel Cell Electric Multiple Unit (FCEMU). Read More
Innovation Project
SC04-POT-03
End Date: 2016
Complete
Construction of a diesel‐electric hybrid power‐pack for efficient self-powered rail vehicles. Read More
Innovation Project
SC06-FTD-02
End Date: 2001
Complete
We need to respond to significant congestion in stations, particularly at gate-lines, which can lead to safety and crowd control issues as well as… Read More
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Other - Safety and risk (x)
Health and wellbeing (x)
Customer services for passengers (x)
Other - Policy and decision making (x)
Sustainable development (x)
Station design (x)
Other - Infrastructure (x)
Future technologies (x)
Adaptation to climate change (x)
Culture (x)
Power supply (x)
Infrastructure asset management (x)
Rolling stock maintenance (x)
Human reliability (x)
Commercial dynamics of transport (x)
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Railways Interoperability (x)
Wheel-rail interface (x)
Track design and components (x)
Social dynamics of transport (x)
Other - Rolling stock (x)
Other - Operations (x)
Security management (x)
Accident investigation and learning (x)
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Traffic supervision and management (x)
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Structures (x)
Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (x)
Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (x)
Value from data (x)
Vehicle track dynamics (x)
Braking systems (x)
Rolling stock passenger comfort (x)
Risk models (x)
Equipment workplace and environmental design (x)
Rolling stock testing (x)
Energy collection systems (x)
Customer services for freight (x)
Other - People behaviour and health (x)
Operational Safety (x)
Smart grids and energy harvesting (x)
Human performance (x)
Overhead line equipment (x)
Adhesion (x)
Whole system design and modelling (x)
Education and competence (x)
Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (x)
Selection and training (x)
Other - Energy and electrification (x)
Revenue and ticketing (x)
Stations management and passenger flow (x)
Data and communications systems (x)
Electrical safety (x)
Aerodynamics (x)
Rolling stock fire performance (x)
Rail Standardisation (x)
Other - Interfaces (x)
Safety data collection (x)
Movement authorities and signalling systems (x)
Safety data analysis (x)
Movement of trains (x)
Rolling stock interiors (x)
Derailment (x)
Signalling - Train detection systems (x)
On board power supplies and monitoring (x)
Safety decision support (x)
Keeping on-track staff safe (x)
CCC asset management (x)
Control and display systems (x)
Signalling - People protection and warning systems including level crossings (x)
CCC system integration and life cycle management (x)
Gauging (x)
Signalling - Train protection systems (x)
Human Factors in event reporting (x)
Other - Control command and communication (x)
Energy metering and billing (x)
ADHERE (x)
CLEAR (x)
FUTURE RISK (x)
DECARB (x)
PERFORM (x)
RESILIENT (x)
FREIGHT (x)
Clear date filter (x)
Status
Objectives
Topics
- Control Command and Communication
- Energy and Electrification
- Infrastructure
- Interfaces
-
Operations
- Customer services for freight (4)
- Customer services for passengers (18)
- Movement of trains (1)
- Operation of road-rail interfaces including level crossings (2)
- Operational Safety (4)
- Other - Operations (7)
- Revenue and ticketing (2)
- Security management (7)
- Stations management and passenger flow (2)
- Traffic supervision and management (6)
- People Behaviour and Health
- Policy and Decision Making
-
Rolling stock
- Braking systems (5)
- Rolling stock asset management (6)
- Rolling stock condition monitoring and inspection (6)
- Rolling stock fire performance (2)
- Rolling stock maintenance (9)
- Rolling stock passenger comfort (5)
- Rolling stock testing (4)
- Train design - Components (9)
- Train design - Structure and crashworthiness (6)
- Other - Rolling stock (8)
- Safety and Risk
Programme
Date
From: To:
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Results per page:
Knowledge Search
S125
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Vertical energy research (S125)
Knowledge Search
S135
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Platform gap fillers (S135)
Knowledge Search
S136
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Hydrophobic additives to rail sand (S136)
Knowledge Search
S152
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Battery technology scanning 2013 (S152)
Knowledge Search
S160
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Luggage conditions of carriage (S160)
Knowledge Search
S162
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Rail Freight noise reduction (S162)
Knowledge Search
S165
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
Flood water train operating rules (S165)
Knowledge Search
S127
End Date: 2013
Complete
What difficulties does the road haulage industry face from unevenly loaded containers and what measures are in place to mitigate the risk of… Read More
Knowledge Search
S126
End Date: 2013
Complete
Registered
On track machine suppliers (S126)
Knowledge Search
S129
End Date: 2013
Complete
What is the impact of using a mobile phone or other portable electronic device in different environments? Read More